Global Polio Eradication Initiative

Global Polio Eradication Initiative

The fight to end polio is led by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which includes Rotary International, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and governments of the world, with the support of many others around the globe.

Global Polio Eradication Initiative Spearheading Partners

Rotary International
Through its PolioPlus program, established in 1985, more than one million Rotary club members have volunteered their time and personal resources to protect more than two billion children in 122 countries from polio. To date, the organization has contributed more than US$700 million -- a figure that will rise to more than $1 Billion by the time the world is certified free from polio. Rotary club members, known as Rotarians, also provide valuable support in the field during National Immunization Days and work diligently to secure essential political and financial support from both polio-free and polio affected governments.

World Health Organization
WHO, through its headquarters, regional and country offices, provides the overall technical direction and strategic planning for the management and coordination of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The Atlanta-based CDC deploys epidemiologists, public health experts, and scientists to WHO and UNICEF. CDC also works as the "viral detective" of the four partners, using its state-of-the-art virological surveillance expertise (genetic fingerprinting) to investigate outbreaks of polio, identify the strain of poliovirus involved and pinpoint its exact geographical origin.

UNICEF
UNICEF procures and distributes polio vaccines for routine and supplementary immunizations. UNICEF participates, along with WHO, in the implementation of intensified National Immunization Days and Subnational Immunization Days, as well as mop-up campaigns at the country level.